Chapter 4

Divided Soul

The Iron Fangs clubhouse throbbed with tension. Blaze sat at the head of the long oak table in the meeting room, trying to focus on Tank's report about the Blood Moon's latest territory push. But his wolf was clawing at him, fighting to get back to the clinic, to Maya. His wolf wanted her and he was fighting it.

Roxy sat to his right, where the alpha female belonged. Her hand rested possessively on his thigh under the table, her red nails digging in slightly whenever she felt his attention drift. She'd changed into a low-cut top that showed off the Iron Fangs tattoo curling over her collarbone – a marking that unofficially branded her as next in line to be his mate.

The mate he didn't want. Not anymore. Now that he saw Maya, he wanted her. Her smell made him want to puke so he moved away from Roxy a gag coming out.

"They're pushing hard on the south border," Tank was saying. "We've lost two shipments this month. The pack's getting restless."

"Then we push back harder," Roxy leaned forward, giving the room a view she knew would command attention. "My family's allies are ready to move. All they need is... confirmation of our commitment."

The implication hung heavy in the air. A mating between Blaze and Roxy would unite two of the strongest supernatural families in the region. The Iron Fangs' territory would be untouchable.

"We'll discuss strategy later," Blaze growled. "Meeting's done."

The room cleared quickly, wolves sensing their alpha's mood. Only Roxy remained, her fingers walking up his arm as the door closed behind Tank.

"Baby," she purred, sliding onto his lap. "You're so tense. Let me help with that."

Her lips found his neck, and for a moment, habit almost took over. This was familiar. Easy. Political. Her scent wrapped around him – expensive perfume, leather, ambition.

Wrong. All wrong. He felt his body revolting against her touch and smell. It made him sick.

His wolf surged forward with a snarl, and before he could stop himself, he had Roxy pinned against the wall, his hand around her throat. Not squeezing, but holding her there with alpha strength.

"Don't," he growled, eyes burning gold. His wolf wanted no part of her anymore. Her smell sickened him.

Instead of fear, triumph flashed across her face. "There he is," she whispered. "There's my wild wolf. You can pretend all you want, Blaze, but this is who you are. Who we are together." Her leg hooked around his waist. "Who's going to understand this side of you? That little vet? She'd run screaming."

The image of Maya's face flashed through his mind – the quiet strength when she'd faced down Roxy, the professional focus as she worked on the injured wolf. The way her eyes had widened with recognition when she'd first scented him, not with fear, but with something deeper. Ancient. Inevitable.

Roxy must have seen something change in his expression because her next kiss was brutal, demanding. For a moment, the familiar fire caught. His wolf could appreciate the pure physicality of her, the way she matched his darkness.

But then that desert wind scent drifted through his memory – sage and sunshine and something wild and sweet that called to everything he was. Maya. His true mate. He wanted her not this cheap whore trying to seduce him.

He ripped away from Roxy, chest heaving. "Stop." She was pushing him to claim her, but he wouldn't. Maya is his mate.

"Why?" She advanced on him, all predator grace. "Because of her? Because some twist of fate says she's your mate? Fate doesn't run this club, Blaze. Fate doesn't keep our borders safe. We do. You and me."

"You don't understand—" She never would. Roxy only wants a title and whatever power she can get. She wasn't in love with him.

"I understand everything." Her voice cracked slightly, the first real emotion he'd heard from her in years. "I understand that I've been by your side for a decade. I understand that I know every dark corner of your soul and I'm not afraid of any of it. I understand that we make sense."

"It's not about making sense." His wolf was howling now, desperate to run, to find Maya, to make everything right.

"Then what is it about?" Roxy's eyes narrowed. "You think she can handle your world? The violence? The politics? The blood that keeps our territory safe?"

"She's stronger than you know."

"She's nothing!" Roxy slammed her hands against his chest. "Nothing but an accident of biology. I'm the one who's fought for this pack. I'm the one who's earned my place!"

The door burst open. Ghost stood there, face grim. "Boss. Blood Moon riders hit the clinic."

The world stopped. Blaze felt fear hit him as thoughts of Maya hurt or dead hit him.

"Maya?" The name ripped from his throat. He needed to go to her. Roxy could fuck off.

"She's alive. But they trashed the place. Left a message." Ghost's eyes flicked to Roxy. "Said to tell you this is what happens when alphas get distracted by... inappropriate attractions."

The rage that filled Blaze was nuclear. His wolf exploded to the surface, fangs dropping, claws extending. The mate bond, which he'd been fighting all day, blazed to full life. He needed Maya.

Protect. Defend. Claim.

Through the red haze, he heard Roxy say something about club business and strategy. But she wasn't pack anymore. Wasn't his. Had maybe never been.

He was already running, shifting, his wolf taking control. Behind him, he heard Ghost giving orders, bikes firing up. They would follow him anywhere.

Maya's scent pulled him forward like a beacon. His mate. His true mate. He was going to her. She better be alright, or he would burn the world down. He ran as hard as he could to get to Maya.

And anyone who dared touch her was about to learn why the Iron Fangs' alpha was feared across three states.